I watched the boys from the sidelines, frustratingly, as I’m still not quite ready to play, after suffering concussion eight weeks ago.
It happened in a game against Southgate and I collided with a defender, in what we thought was a fairly innocuous head knock – so much so I played on. It was only later that evening when I began to have blurred vision that I realised it could be serious.
I thought I would be able to play last weekend but I began to feel the symptoms again, and with the brain – which you can’t see, of course – it’s always harder to determine when things are truly better. The tragic death of Australia cricketer Phillip Hughes served as a reminder of how dangerous head injuries can be, and how important it is to rehabilitate properly and not rush back.
It’s a complicated process, the return to play protocol, but I need to wholly respect it. I’m unlikely to feature this weekend for Reading against Cannock – our last NOW: Pension’s league game this year – as I’m required to have at least a week of contact training under my belt before being given the green light.
Since the collision I’ve been unable to do any strenuous exercise, as that would raise my heart rate, which could set me back again. As such, I’ve had to be even more careful than usual about what I’ve been eating, so as not to pile on the pounds and also keep muscle. I’ve been supplementing my diet with fish oil and Omega 3, which are both really good for nourishing the brain.
Being out with concussion also meant that I missed out on a surfing trip to North Devon with some of the England boys. Mark Gleghorne borrowed my wetsuit, though, so at least some of my stuff made it to Woolacombe Bay.
The team are out in India at the moment, having flown to Delhi on Sunday, and will play their first Champions Trophy game against Australia in Bhubaneswar on Saturday. I’m gutted not to be there.
It’s always hard when you miss out on a major tournament, and there was real excitement about this one as, following a long training block, it is England’s first competitive event since we won bronze in the Commonwealth Games in Glasgow.
I’m keeping in touch with the boys – we have a WhatsApp group – and I’m looking forward to watching the games on Sky Sports. It’s important for me to study the matches, as our tactics are constantly evolving and I’ll be itching to be up to speed when they are back and in the New Year.
In a couple of weeks the indoor league begins, so hopefully I’ll be able to use that to work hard to return to fitness. I’ll put together a plan with my strength and conditioning coach and make sure I don’t overindulge at Christmas so that I’m fully ready to go for England and Reading in January.
NOW: Pensions are one of the UK’s leading auto enrolment pension providers and the proud partner of England and Great Britain Men’s Hockey. Follow @NOWhockey or go to www.nowpensions.com
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